France: Mideast needs peace deal 'more than ever'

A successful outcome to the Israel-Palestinians negotiations would be like a "thunderbolt" for peace in the crisis-ridden Middle East,
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said Saturday.

"Even if we speak of other neighboring countries -- the dramatic conflict in Syria, Lebanon,
Egypt -- the fact remains that the Israeli-Palestinian issue is one of the issues, perhaps the central one, for the region," he said in the West Bank city of Ramallah,
after meeting Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas.

"In a particularly troubled regional environment, it is even more important that we advance towards peace here," Fabius said.

"If these negotiations are successful, it will be a thunderbolt for peace...a great stabilizing element."

"Our support is more necessary than ever," he added. "This is the moment when we must make a breakthrough for peace."

'Positive spirit.' Abbas (Photo: AP)

Israeli and Palestinian negotiators formally resumed direct peace talks earlier this month after a hiatus of nearly three years, thanks to an intense bout of shuttle diplomacy by US Secretary of State John Kerry.

They are expected to last about nine months.

Fabius arrived early Saturday on a visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories aimed at encouraging the sides.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Fabius, Abbas said that his team entered the talks, about which no details have been revealed, in good faith.

"I should like to say that the Palestinians are negotiating with good intentions," he said. "We want to negotiate in a positive spirit."

"We hope that it is the same on the Israeli side, we want to create the proper climate for stopping settlement, which is illegal to us and to the world."

The talks have been overshadowed by Israeli plans to build more than 2,000 new homes for Jewish settlers on occupied Palestinian territory.

Fabius will meet in Jerusalem on Sunday with President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, Israel's lead negotiator in the talks.

The Palestinians said Friday they have "serious doubts" about Israel's commitment to the peace talks, but they remain committed to taking part in the negotiations.

"We do not have high expectations of the negotiations so far because we know in advance the official position of the Israeli government," foreign minister Riyad al-Malki said on visit to Quito, Ecuador.